My Journey: From Firework Maker to Royal Air Force Administrator
About Me
My name is David McGregor and I’ve had a fascinating journey from working as a civilian firework maker (Pyrotechnician) to serving in the Royal Air Force. Here’s a glimpse into my story:
Early Career
- Firework Factory in Southport: Before joining the Royal Air Force, I worked as a Pyrotechnician at a firework factory located at the back of Wavell Avenue in Southport.
- Missed Military Conscription: I narrowly missed military conscription by six months, but destiny had other plans for me.
Joining the Royal Air Force
- Decision to Serve: At the age of 24, I made the life-changing decision to join the Royal Air Force.
- Basic Training: In late 1965, I applied to join and began my six-week basic training (commonly known as “square bashing”) on February 14, 1966, at Royal Air Force Swinderby in Lincolnshire.
Training and Adventures
- Supplier Training: After completing basic training, I was posted to Royal Air Force Hereford for specialized training as a supplier. This intensive training lasted approximately 10 weeks.
- Weekend Hitchhiking: During weekends, I hitchhiked between Southport and Hereford. This was before the completion of the M6 motorway, so my cross-country journey involved hitchhiking from Cannock to the M5 and then onward to Hereford.
First Posting
- Royal Air Force Tern Hill: In June 1966, I received my first real posting to a Royal Air Force unit. I joined the Stores Department at Royal Air Force Tern Hill in Shropshire (near Market Drayton).
- Unexpected Role: Initially, I expected to work with supplies, but fate had other plans. I found myself in the supply registry (supply office) alongside a sergeant.
- Mail Files and Administration: My primary responsibilities included managing mail files (both classified and unclassified). I handled files labeled secret, confidential, and staff in confidence. These were securely stored in a locked filing cabinet, with the key kept in a small wall safe.
- Surprising Talent: Little did I know that my knack for administration would emerge during this unexpected role.
- Early Adventures
- First Ever Flight: My aviation journey began with a flight from Southport beach (around Blackpool and back) in the late 1950s. Little did I know that this experience would pave the way for my Royal Air Force career.
- Royal Air Force Debut: My first official flights in the Royal Air Force were quite diverse:
- Zedburg Glider: I soared as a passenger in a Zedburg glider.
- Whirlwind Helicopter: Next, I took to the skies in co-pilots seat in a Whirlwind helicopter.
- Sioux Helicopter: Finally, I experienced the thrill of flying in the co-pilots seat in a Sioux helicopter at Royal Air Force Tern Hill.
- Personal Milestones
- Married Quarters: Quickly settling into military life, I was allocated married quarters on Boscobel Road, just a stone’s throw from the RAF station.
- Family Addition: In July 1967, my eldest son was born at the British Military Hospital in Cosford.
- Training and Unexpected Sights
- Junior Air Movements Course: In July 1967, I attended a Junior Air Movements (now called Logistics Movements) course at RAF Abingdon. Hitchhiking to and from Tern Hill, I reached Abingdon in Oxfordshire, near the historic city of Oxford.
- Beverley Aircraft: Abingdon introduced me to the fascinating sight of a Beverley aircraft taxiing backward—an image etched in my memory.
- Qualified Air Movements Controller: Successfully completing the course, I became a qualified Air Movements Controller, ready to serve.
- Diverse Postings
- RAF Gutersloh (West Germany): In August 1968, I received a posting to Royal Air Force Gutersloh, a front-line fighter station near the East German border.
- Services Booking Centre (London): My next posting, in August 1971, took me to the Services Booking Centre in London. Interestingly, uniforms were not part of the dress code there.
- Coral Island Adventures: August 1972 saw me posted to Royal Air Force Gan, a coral island in the Maldives. This was where I truly immersed myself in Air Movements work.
- Final Chapter
- Headquarters Number 46 Group: In April 1973, I joined Headquarters Number 46 Group at Royal Air Force Upavon.
- Becoming Number 38 Group: By November 1975, Headquarters 46 Group transformed into Headquarters Number 38 Group at Royal Air Force Upavon.
- Retirement: In February 1978, after 12 years of dedicated service, I retired from the Royal Air Force.